“In designing projects, we strive to have students doing the work of the world. Inviting those who actually do that work in the world into your project can be extremely powerful” (PBLWorks). Pacific Northern Academy is a community of students, teachers, and parents who all carry with them their own wealth of experiences and knowledge. This week, first-graders had the pleasure of learning from PNA parent and marine engineer Rett Tanner. With a goal of helping students successfully, “use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs” (NGSS 1.LS.1.1), he taught them about his profession, showing them how “cool” being an engineer can be, and that what they are learning and experiencing today is useful in the real world. 

“Including outside experts immediately increases the authenticity of a project, which in turn increases accountability and enthusiasm” (PBLWorks). This was apparent the minute our guest entered the classroom. Students listened in awe as they learned about Mr. Tanner’s journey into marine engineering, starting with the love of the ocean at a young age, going to college in Florida, to becoming the engineer he is today. He also taught students how scientists in his profession use nature for inspiration by showing them an example of a robotic tuna, an underwater vehicle that looks and moves through the water like a fish, allowing the robot to move independently.  

The students then got to see the engineer in action. With the image of a lobster for inspiration, Mr. Tanner assembled a robot mimicking the structures of a lobster to demonstrate how a robot like this could move and perform tasks like taking the temperature of the ocean floor. This was exciting, as it reminded many of the students of their experience in Robotics Camp at PNA’s Create Academy. 

It was rewarding to see the students so engaged, excited, and ready for the next stage of their project – “design[ing] a solution to a human problem by mimicking” nature (NGSS 1.LS.1.1). However, one thing that stood out from this experience was that Mr. Tanner was inspired at the age of seven to do something with the ocean and is now living his dream and inspiring this next group of six and seven-year-olds to have a vision and go for it!

 

“Working with Outside Experts.” Home, https://my.pblworks.org/resource/working-outside-experts. 

First Grade – Nextgenscience.org. https://www.nextgenscience.org/sites/default/files/1%20Combined%20topicsf.pdf.